| Family: |
Sparidae (Porgies) |
| Max. size: |
200 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 80 kg |
| Environment: |
demersal; brackish; marine; depth range - 10 m |
| Distribution: |
Southeast Atlantic: Mossel Bay to Natal in South Africa. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Reddish, bronzy or golden-yellow in color; young with a blotch behind dorsal fin. |
| Biology: |
Found near rocky banks in coastal waters including estuaries. Adults solitary and territorial. Feeds on octopus, crabs and fish, especially Spondyliosoma. The flesh is highly esteemed, but the liver is poisonous due to high vitamin A content which causes hypervitaminosis. Popular angling fish. Largest of the porgies. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 03 December 2009 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
poisonous to eat |
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